[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment":3,"chapter-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-194":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Intelligence King of Chinese Entertainment",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260497,4411,"Chapter 194","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-194",194,"\u003Cp>KTV private room\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Wu Jiani was still a bit reserved, dancing only slow, gentle routines with limited movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after drinking and chatting, she gradually loosened up, and when Yan Li asked her to dance again, the moves became much more daring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, seeing that Yan Li seemed to enjoy fiery, seductive Latin dance, she performed several more segments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the dance ended, Wu Jiani took two light breaths, sat back on the sofa, her brow slightly flushed, and asked Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I look good?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li nodded. Classically trained dancers were different—she radiated charisma, her dancing electrifying, making her seem altogether more beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, seducing a woman was sometimes like drinking alcohol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulping down a glass in one go might quench thirst and feel satisfying, but sipping slowly, savoring each drop, offered another kind of delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li wasn’t particularly thirsty today, and since this was his first time with Wu, he didn’t want to be too rough—he decided to set a romantic mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to learn to dance too—something slow, like a tango. Will you teach me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani agreed readily. They stood in the open space of the room, and she taught Yan Li how to stand, how to coordinate, the sequence of steps, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li learned attentively, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her hand, moving gently under her guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Yan, your physique is good, but you’re a bit stiff—you need to be more fluid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani offered advice. Yan Li was half a martial artist and classically trained, with solid physical foundation and quick wit—he picked things up fast—but some ingrained martial habits were hard to shake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a teacher’s perspective, Wu Jiani was an excellent instructor—diligent and responsible—but Yan Li had never been a good student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, during the initial instruction, things went smoothly, but as they practiced further, he began adding his own little embellishments, his hands full of subtle, extra motions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani let out a soft moan, collapsing limply against Yan Li’s chest as he held her gently swaying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face flushed crimson; she pouted slightly: “Director Yan, did I teach you to dance like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think this way stirs up more emotion between us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li, shameless, lifted his hand slightly around her waist, lowered his head, and kissed her twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You teach me to dance—I’ll teach you acting, how about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani was confused—how had they swung to acting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Acting’s most important is dialogue—your speech must be clear…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ever-teacherly Yan Li spoke as he pried open Wu Jiani’s slightly bewildered lips; his instruction shifted from articulate speech to muffled murmurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hours later, after bathing Wu Jiani and holding her close, Yan Li lit a cigarette with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt his portrayal of King Zhou in The Investiture of the Gods had been truly fitting—exceptionally successful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d won over Su Daji, the Chick Spirit, the Pipa Spirit—the Three Demons of Xuanyuan—and even Empress Jiang, both on and off screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Playing a corrupt monarch was better—he’d take on more such roles in the future…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pleasant phone ring sounded; Wu Jiani struggled to sit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s my phone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll get it for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li got up willingly to fetch her phone—he’d just tested the newly acquired Heavenly Upheaval One-Hundred-Eight Moves, and Wu Jiani, still unaccustomed to his strength, had cried earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not Qin Lan’s tears—these were real, unbearable sobs. Yan Li felt a twinge of guilt and grew more tender toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, it’s your Sister Ou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li glanced at the caller ID, handed her the phone. Wu Jiani, embarrassed and flustered, hesitated for several seconds before finally answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiani, how’s your relationship with Director Yan going lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ou’s concerned voice came through the line. Wu Jiani couldn’t help glancing at Yan Li, who had returned to bed and was holding her, then stammered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...It’s okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rush. When we get back to Beijing, I’ll help you figure something out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Figure out what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li asked. Wang Ou hadn’t realized yet and continued casually: “I’ll invite Director Yan over for dinner one day—you come too, we’ll…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Wang Ou suddenly sensed something wrong and fell silent. Yan Li took the phone from Wu Jiani’s hand and said coolly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on. What were you saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough… Jiani, I’ve got bad signal here. Hello? Hello? Can’t hear you—I’ll call you back later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Ou pretended ignorance to escape. Yan Li smirked: “I’ll settle accounts with you later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Wang Ou had tried to secure him benefits and he hadn’t objected, this little woman had acted on her own initiative—he needed to remind her who was in charge, or she might get another bright idea and drag him into trouble again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After ending the call, Yan Li looked down. Wu Jiani was now utterly humiliated, curled up under the thin blanket like an ostrich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Climbing into bed was one thing; being caught by the owner himself while scheming behind his back was another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani didn’t know Yan Li had an intelligence network—she’d always believed he saw her as pure and sweet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even this time, she thought it was just “passion rising,” then “losing control”—at most, it was because Director Yan was so charming, she admired him and naturally became more forward and enthusiastic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But secretly plotting with Wang Ou how to seduce him? That destroyed her image entirely—it was too embarrassing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had intended to tease Wu Jiani, but seeing her state, he said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani was different from Wang Ou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter had grown up seeing the world’s coldness, working hard since childhood, with strong mental resilience and ambition—such a personality needed to be kept in check, or she’d grow arrogant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through his intelligence network, Yan Li had some understanding of Wu Jiani’s nature—she was a normal girl, softer and more delicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t embraced the idea of climbing into his bed as readily as Wang Ou had assumed; she still carried emotional burdens—so she needed time to adjust, and some dignity must be preserved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Yan Li let the matter drop, instead playing with her phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This model’s outdated—I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to crafting elaborate romantic words, Yan Li was growing more comfortable just throwing money around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Wu Jiani wasn’t famous and didn’t earn much, but a new phone wasn’t enough to dismiss her—it was just an appetizer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After the drama wraps, what are your plans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yan Li didn’t mention Wang Ou, Wu Jiani relaxed slightly and replied softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The company hasn’t said, but they seem to be arranging an audition for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What drama?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang Ren’s—something called The Young Yang Family Generals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s hand paused as he stroked Wu Jiani’s smooth back—amused and incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The industry really was small!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for an audition—I’ll arrange it for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides The Young Yang Family Generals, Tang Ren’s The Immortal’s Flying from the Heavens could also fit a role; Zhou Yi had a new drama too—he could squeeze her in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yi’an planned to produce The White-Haired Witch and The Legend of Xue Rengui this second half of the year—Wu Jiani still had a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, Wang Ou’s drama, The Detective Di Renjie 2, likely had a unit female lead role—those two were close; perfect chance to deepen their bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without realizing it, Yan Li now understood more deeply why Wu Jiani was conflicted yet so determined to cling to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The resources Yan Li controlled could feed a minor actress like Wu Jiani with just a few crumbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And these were only the companies he was directly involved with or deeply partnered with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he fully backed her, she could choose from even more dramas—even land a leading female role wasn’t difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new title of “industry big shot”—Yan Li needed to truly adapt to it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li arranged two major industry projects for Wu Jiani: The Young Yang Family Generals and The Detective Di Renjie 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were pending, but she’d definitely get one—and none would be insignificant supporting roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani was overjoyed. Sister Ou was right—Director Yan was truly generous, never shortchanging those who followed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his… generosity in that area was a bit too much—excessively punishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d always thought Wang Ou dragged her into this to please Yan Li and secure his favor—but now she wondered if Wang Ou had also wanted a backup to share the burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back on the “tragic” scene just now, Wu Jiani seriously considered Wang Ou’s suggestion for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Detective Di Renjie 2 production team, hotel accommodation\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, Wang Ou paced back and forth in her room, recalling the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t sure if Yan Li had just happened to be beside Wu Jiani—or if the two had already become lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former was manageable—he’d just punish her again, nothing new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the latter… Wang Ou realized she’d underestimated this shy, timid girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, when she’d tempted and pushed Wu Jiani, the girl had hesitated, blushed, and been agonizingly conflicted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had she been away from Hengdian, and already Wu Jiani had slipped in and seized the opportunity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She needed to be clear-headed—don’t end up losing her position, turning from Sister Ou into Little Ou…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s scenes in The Lu Xiaofeng Legend wrapped. Though he hadn’t left Hengdian, his focus had shifted from the set to Yi’an Garden, where he spent most of his time working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani was originally scheduled to wrap and leave, but she hesitated, wanting to stabilize her position after securing his favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t know how they convinced the company, but she stayed in Hengdian anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no roles, she followed Yan Li, taking over her sister Ou’s position as Yan Li’s personal assistant, serving day and night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li didn’t exploit her for free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She got new top-of-the-line phones and computers, her daily allowance wasn’t small, and the project “Detective Di Renjie 2” was confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since she asked too late, most cast members were already locked in; she couldn’t land the female lead in any unit, only a supporting role—but reportedly, the screen time was still decent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for “The Young Yang Family Generals,” it’s still in preparation; Yan Li has already spoken up, and when casting begins, they’ll consider the director’s and crew’s opinions to decide her role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani herself accepted it well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, her status isn’t high; any role makes her happy. Second, Yan Li still has big pies on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know about “The White-Haired Witch,” but because Yan Li had mentioned “The Legend of Xue Rengui” during work these past few days, she\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>under Yan Li’s permission, skimmed the script and found several substantial female roles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female lead, Princess Zhao Yang, a princess of the Boliao Kingdom, contributed greatly to Xue Rengui’s rise and has the most screen time in the entire drama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female second lead, Liu Yinhuan, Xue Rengui’s first wife, married him when he was destitute and waited over a decade for her husband’s return from war; she has significant screen time in the early and middle-to-later acts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female third lead, Lady Zhang, is a venomous villainess who seeks revenge for her father and brother by sabotaging Xue Rengui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This character originally had screen time rivaling the heroine, but after major script revisions, her role was reduced—yet she remains crucial, with standout scenes, even more compelling than the second lead, Liu Yinhuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female fourth lead, Tuo Ya, didn’t exist in the original script; she was newly created because the revised script added scenes of campaigning against the Uyghurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there was already Princess Zhao Yang and Tie Shiwen’s wife; without a female general later, the story felt dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they added one—a leader among the Nine Uyghur Tribes, a female general, with a plotline of a “Two Phoenixes Duel” against Princess Zhao Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is an old trope from folk tales and operas: female general versus female general. Clearly, from ancient times to now, everyone loves watching women fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuo Ya was later subdued by Xue Rengui and, along with the Nine Uyghur Tribes, submitted to the Tang Dynasty, becoming his romantic confidante.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drama never explicitly states whether he took her as a wife, but the audience all understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Yan Li’s personal pet project; originally, the screenwriter planned to pair her with Xue Rengui’s sworn brother, Zhou Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li thought: since the first half already took in a foreign princess, adding a foreign tribal chief and female general in the second half would deliver even more satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Liu Yinhuan and Princess Zhao Yang were already called sisters; why not add one more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knows, a triangle is the most stable structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing, his sworn brother, could be assigned as Tuo Ya’s subordinate and younger brother, adding another actor and padding the plot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li, as both the male lead and the main investor, believed this change had real benefits—even if it made Xue Rengui look like a cad. But taking multiple wives was normal in ancient times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yan Li, who plays him, isn’t worried about damaging his image, why should they care?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jiani had her eyes on Tuo Ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Zhao Yang had more screen time, but she was obscure; Wu feared she couldn’t outcompete others. Liu Yinhuan needed a gentle, dignified portrayal, which didn’t suit her. She didn’t want to play a villain either—so Tuo Ya was the best choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This character appears cold and aloof, but is secretly tsundere, known as the “Flower of Tianshan,” captured and released three times by Xue Rengui, defeated repeatedly yet persistently, gradually falling for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The concept is appealing; though her screen time is less, she feels more likely to shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li understood Wu Jiani’s intentions perfectly but never gave a clear answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li planned to star as the male lead in “The Legend of Xue Rengui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of fame, thanks to the “Two Soldiers Fight for Yan Li” and his billion-dollar fortune hype, he’d been on headlines nonstop for the past half-year; he had some confidence in his recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fame on gossip pages doesn’t mean audiences will support his drama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His roles in “Emperor Wu of Han” and “The Seven Fairies” had boosted his visibility, but whether he could carry an entire drama remained uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this drama’s investment was substantial, with a planned budget of 26 to 30 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he let blind arrogance cause the project to collapse or underperform, regret would come too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, while he could boast to media and investors, privately he had to be cautious—especially since this was Yan Li’s first time as a male lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, if he failed, he’d be utterly humiliated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, to boost popularity and raise distribution prices, the “Legend of Xue Rengui” crew planned to bring in a heavyweight actress, or several lesser-known but popular young actresses to co-star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If conditions allowed, they could even arrange a current male idol as the second male lead or a guest star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still in the research phase; before clear signs emerged, Yan Li didn’t want to invite trouble—better to play it safe, ready to advance or retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the longer they dragged it out, the more Wu Jiani would perform well privately; once the cards were laid out, her motivation might drop…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Yan Li was busy with work, waiting for “Lu Xiaofeng Legend” to wrap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jinghua finally confronted Huayi, demanding to leave with her team; the news exploded, causing uproar in and out of the industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Media swarmed Huayi for interviews; though the Wang brothers insisted everything was under control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All artists were under contract and wouldn’t leave; Huayi could survive without anyone except them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, after Orange Sky signed Wang Jinghua, Huayi artists began announcing defections one after another; Xia Yu publicly declared, “We all follow Sister Hua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation kept deteriorating; Huayi’s earthquake could no longer be hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wang brothers’ tone shifted from confidence to panic: “We can’t talk about this now—we’re in a meeting discussing it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Yan Li’s “inside source,” Li Xue, the Wang brothers had underestimated Wang Jinghua’s ruthlessness and her influence among artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew Wang Jinghua planned to leave and prepared for departures, even targeting specific artists for retention, so they believed she couldn’t take many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wang Jinghua gave the Wang brothers a brutal slap in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She emptied Huayi almost entirely—no, strictly speaking, she’d already emptied it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the music company’s singers, Huayi had almost no actors left; even those remaining were wavering, ambiguous in stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forced to make desperate promises to retain key staff at any cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it wasn’t just financial accounting—it was political accounting too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Orange Sky and Wang Jinghua stripped Huayi bare, they couldn’t answer to shareholders, and Huayi would never survive; investors and partners wouldn’t deal with a “useless company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuang Bing, Huayi’s flagship artists, were naturally the Wang brothers’ top PR targets; their decisions were also under intense public scrutiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gossip media spread rumors everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One moment they said Shuang Bing would leave, the next they said both would stay, then they claimed the two had fought, one leaving, one staying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing and Li Xue, goaded by Yan Li, were holding out for better offers and gave no response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang didn’t need such careful handling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jinghua’s departure from Huayi was the main event; her leaving didn’t stand out as particularly damaging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So now was the perfect time to respond—before things settled and she became a target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, considering her relationship with Li Bingbing, she might be dragged into rumors that she was kicked out by Li Bingbing, making her look inferior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, just after joining “The Tokyo Trial,” Fan Xiaopang, when questioned by reporters, clearly stated she would leave Huayi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when reporters followed up asking if she’d join Orange Sky, and how she viewed Chen Hao, who had already signed with Orange Sky, hinting at a rivalry for top actress status,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Xiaopang smiled faintly: “Who said I’m going to Orange Sky?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reporters’ eyes lit up—was there a third player in the Orange-Huayi battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Fan Xiaopang gave no further response to reporters’ subsequent questions; she only clarified she wouldn’t join either company—no need to drag Yi’an into the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Fan Xiaopang didn’t say it outright, media and netizens weren’t fools; with her obvious flirtation with Yan Li, who else could it be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fan Bingbing Suspected to Join Yi’an, Entertainment Circle Repeats ‘Couple Duo’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shuang Bing Battle Reignites: Yan Li Strikes to Steal the Prize”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Insider Reveals Li Bingbing Also Heading to Yi’an; Her Sister and Manager Li Xue Stays Silent”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shuang Bing vs. Yan Li Round Two: Who Will Be Yi’an’s Future Boss Lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Mantis Catches the Cicada, the Bird Behind Strikes: Huayi Suffers Heavy Blows”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yan Li Admits Poaching: Details Still Under Negotiation; Full Disclosure to Follow”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beijing, Huayi Company\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei cursed: “That Wu guy has Japanese capital backing him—that’s one thing. But a twenty-something kid dares to provoke us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, we can’t touch Orange Sky—let’s go after this brat. Kill a chicken to scare the monkeys.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei’s eyes turned vicious; in all their years building Huayi, this was the first time they’d suffered such a crushing blow—they were seething and needed a target to vent on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He wouldn’t dare provoke you if he feared your retaliation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun’s expression wasn’t good, but he stayed calm: “This kid may be young, but he’s no pushover.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s just a country bumpkin from Shandong—there are plenty of ways to crush him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun hated both Wang Jinghua and Yan Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former emptied half their artists; the latter directly targeted their last flagship duo—damn, each one was more vicious than the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can a bumpkin turn his business into this scale in two or three years? Can a bumpkin have ties with dozens of TV stations? Can a bumpkin sell several dramas for hundreds of millions? Can a bumpkin send Song Zhude straight to prison in three moves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun’s barrage of questions stunned his brother, who protested: “We checked through our connections—no one’s heard of any background behind this kid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s exactly why it’s more terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun narrowed his eyes: either Yan Li’s background is so powerful we can’t uncover it, or he’s a ruthless, exceptionally capable man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his background is top-tier, we definitely can’t touch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he rose purely by his own ability, sustained such a massive operation, especially in distribution, how could he have no connections?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, rumors in certain circles say this kid is well-informed within relevant agencies—he’s no lucky fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Yan Li’s rise was recent and his roots shallow, he couldn’t match our big-family clans in power,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but his personal network and wealth aren’t negligible. If pushed to the brink, he’ll fight to the death—can Huayi walk away unscathed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, maybe. But now, with Orange Sky watching like a tiger and other companies stirring, we don’t need another mortal enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing is close to him; she’s probably gone for good. But Li Bingbing—I doubt she’s really leaving; she’s likely using this as leverage in negotiations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhongjun quickly made his decision: let one go, keep the other—preserve Li Bingbing, the most valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, invite him to dinner under my name. Fan Bingbing’s contract is still with Huayi; if she leaves, don’t let Wang Jing reap the goodwill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei frowned: “Brother, are you thinking…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. Orange Sky is our real enemy right now. He’s strong enough to be wooed—and at the very least, we can’t let him side with Wu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Yan Li, who was opportunistic, Wang Zhongjun cared most about Orange Sky: the man had real power and was targeting the film market, posing a direct threat to Huayi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He poaches our people—and you’re going to invite him to dinner?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei trembled with rage, but Wang Zhongjun’s face was grim: “Even Han Xin endured the humiliation under the crotch. What’s this to us? A gentleman seeks revenge after ten years. Once we deal with Orange Sky, we’ll settle accounts with this brat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhonglei still resisted, but Wang Zhongjun had decided: “Do as I say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though younger brother Wang Zhonglei was the one who appeared in public, the real decision-maker was the elder brother. Once he made up his mind, Wang Zhonglei, no matter how resentful, would obey without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hengdian, hotel room\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Daily Intelligence 3: The Wang brothers of Huayi have decided to temporarily pursue a conciliatory approach toward Yan Li…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li clicked his tongue in mild disappointment. These old foxes were truly sharp—each one could bend and stretch as needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a pity he’d recently triggered that intelligence; he’d planned to use it to stir up trouble if the Wang brothers came after him, handing Orange Sky a knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it’s useless—and if the intel expires, it’ll be wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, no—it’s not useless. Wang Zhongjun is inviting him to dinner. He can give him the intel then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warning, plus a favor—and maybe some perks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had no fondness for either Orange Sky or Huayi; he hoped they’d destroy each other so he could profit as the bystander. So long as neither side provoked him, he wouldn’t act against either—lest he accidentally help the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the current perspective, Huayi is weak, and Orange Sky’s theater network directly competes with his own interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Right now, Yan Li leans more toward talking with Huayi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Yan Li knew exactly what the Wang brothers were thinking—they wanted to recover and come after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan Li wasn’t innocent either; otherwise he wouldn’t have secretly encouraged Li Bingbing and her sister. Once his strength was sufficient, Huayi, standing in his way, would be his next target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One doesn’t scold the elder brother before the younger—when the time comes, we’ll settle it with action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some thought, he organized today’s daily intelligence, pulled out his phone, and called Li Bingbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing, who was at home applying a face mask while discussing negotiations with Huayi alongside her sister and team, peeled off the mask and stepped into the bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue glanced at her sister oddly—why did she need to take this call away from her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, glancing at the rest of the team—maybe she was avoiding them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the bedroom, door shut, Li Bingbing lowered her voice: “Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li was surprised: “You’re still awake at this hour?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing rolled her eyes, irritable: “Do you even care if I sleep? Why call me now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li changed the subject, groaning: “You two have really screwed me over. Just got word—Wang Zhonglei is plotting to take me down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That shouldn’t happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing was startled. She and her sister had seen Fan Xiaopang publicly announce his departure, so they’d decided to ride the wave—and use Yan Li as a pawn to pressure Huayi into concessions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d analyzed the situation: Huayi was under relentless pressure from Orange Sky, overwhelmed and unable to focus elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Yan Li had already angered Huayi by poaching Fan Xiaopang, adding one more offense wouldn’t matter. They owed Yan Li a huge favor and would repay him later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li had agreed—and even helped create momentum. But they hadn’t expected a misstep on Huayi’s side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way around it—they poached two at once, and the brothers panicked. They think I’m an easy target, can’t fight Orange Sky, so they’ll make an example of me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s tone grew weary and agitated. Li Bingbing’s heart twisted—he’d helped her out of goodwill, and if she dragged him into this mess, she’d be betraying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do we do? Should I go explain things to the brothers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Useless. It’s not just about you—it’s also about Xiao Fan. If you go now, you’ll only add fuel to the fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li’s voice steadied: “Stick to the original plan. Don’t let them see your weakness. I’m returning to Beijing the day after tomorrow—we’ll meet then and discuss further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing had no plan of her own; she instinctively followed Yan Li’s lead, yet guilt gnawed at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry—I’ve dragged you into this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li brushed it off: “Like I said, it’s not just about you. The idea to clash with Huayi was mine. Besides, I’m not taking the blame for free—you agreed to my drama, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing didn’t accept his reasoning: “Regardless, you helped me. This debt is huge—just the drama won’t cover it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll talk about favors when we’re back in Beijing. Stay calm. Keep in touch if anything comes up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, Li Bingbing felt heavy. She considered calling her sister to discuss it, but then remembered—Li Xue might react emotionally if it involved Yan Li. She swallowed the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Yan Li held his phone, silent for a moment, then dialed Fan Xiaopang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, I’ve really pissed off the Wang brothers for your sake…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad the atmosphere was tense and they couldn’t meet—otherwise, Yan Li might have spun the Wang brothers’ threats even darker, piled on more suffering, and maybe even relived the glory days of “Two Brothers in the Same Bed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>July 22nd: After over four months of filming, “The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng” finally wrapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li booked a lavish wrap party to reward the entire crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of these people would return to Hengdian months later for “The White-Haired Witch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the production hadn’t yet begun, as the core team cultivated by Yi’an’s wuxia dramas, they’d be reused in future wuxia projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The director for “The White-Haired Witch” had also been confirmed: Ju Jueliang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wang Xinmin wouldn’t be involved; as an old-school director, he still disliked Yi’an’s producer-centric model.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Wang Xinmin had left, Chen Yongge—who had worked with him on multiple projects and was essentially his half-disciple—would partner with Ju Jueliang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Chen Yongge fell short of Wang Xinmin in crafting hardline wuxia and street-level martial worlds, his action design was his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other elements of a wuxia drama can be weak—but the fight scenes must be spectacular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Jueliang plus Chen Yongge, backed by a mature team, would easily handle “The White-Haired Witch,” which demanded less than “The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for “The Legend of Xue Rengui,” Yan Li hadn’t yet chosen a director. The Taiwanese director recommended by producer Li Si lin didn’t impress him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, he favored Feng Xiaoning—the director of “Purple Sun” and “Love Across the Yellow River.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though known for his wartime literary films, he’d also directed “The Beiyang Fleet,” a historical drama with solid ratings and reviews.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most crucially, monthly intelligence showed his drama “Zhu Yuanzhang” had received strong praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Li knew this project well—it had arrived at Yi’an right after the “Xue Rengui” script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan Li thought both scripts were too weak. “Xue Rengui” was willing to be rewritten, so they collaborated; the other project went quiet—apparently it found new investors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he knew the script was weak, if it succeeded, the director’s contribution would be undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Feng Xiaoning could make “Zhu Yuanzhang” work, then “Xue Rengui,” with a better script, more funding, and superior conditions, had no excuse to fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the wrap party, Yan Li returned to Beijing. Beforehand, Wu Jiani had already gone ahead to “Detective Di Renjie 2” to find her Ou-jie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the plane landed, Yan Li opened his phone—invitations flooded in. He ignored them all, told his driver Wu Maowen to drive home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… which home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4973,"2026-06-19T16:16:52.605Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8c89c5a2888b9d8c628c8affee023ea263c04a1bb18f055db2e6a82f7b25af85","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-195","the-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-chapter-193",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-intelligence-king-of-chinese-entertainment-cover.jpg"]